Classic game Tetris partners with the American Red Cross to inspire more blood donations. Donate blood, and get a cool t-shirt for it! Read on to learn more about the collaboration.
American Red Cross x Tetris Brings Back Nostalgia
Donating Blood Made Fun
The American Red Cross teams up with the classic arcade game Tetris in a bid to "inspire blood donations." Interested and eligible blood, platelet, or plasma donors can visit RedCrossBlood.org and schedule an appointment any time from May 20 to June 9 to receive an exclusive Tetris + Red Cross T-Shirt while supplies last. Registered donors are also automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win a trip for two to New York City and meet the creator of Tetris, Alexey Pajitnov.
This collaboration didn’t just pop out of thin air—in fact, it is rather well-timed. Firstly, it aligns with Tetris’ 40th anniversary—a timely celebration of the four decades of Tetris. This team-up hopes to "inspire gamers, fans, and blood donors alike to drop in, give blood, and help patients play on."
Secondly, the month of May is also National Trauma Awareness Month. Established back in 1988, it’s a month dedicated to raising awareness, education, and learning methods of prevention. Accidents and trauma incidents happen every day, and some require lifesaving blood transfusions. According to the Red Cross, blood is needed in the U.S. every two seconds to help accident victims, burn victims, patients in need of heart surgery and organ transplant, and those battling sickle cell disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases.
Darren Irby, American Red Cross’ executive director of donors and sponsor marketing, said, "The Red Cross is thrilled to partner with a brand as iconic as Tetris to encourage the public to give blood. The cross-generational appeal of Tetris makes it a ‘perfect fit’ for us in helping to reach audiences young and more mature to encourage them to take action and roll-up a sleeve to help save lives."
Tetris Is Everywhere
This partnership is the most recent out of the dozens of collabs Tetris has put out throughout the years. Earlier this month, Tetris teamed up with popular convenience store chain 7-Eleven to release merchandise in the United States such as t-shirts, stickers, hats, tote bags, and even a handheld game device in the shape of a Slurpee (which unfortunately is sold out). Luckily, the other goodies are still in stock if you’re interested in getting one for yourself!
Tetris also previously collaborated with revolving sushi bar chain Kura Sushi and sneaker brand Puma, among others. And of course, the countless collabs and features within video games as well, such as Puyo Puyo and Stumble Guys.
Source:
Red Cross x Tetris Press Release
